Aston Villa have now been warned that emerging target Jaden Philogene will only return to the club if one key condition is met.
It’s been a busy summer for Aston Villa, who have finally got to work on welcoming new faces to the club after managing their financial woes.
Monchi conducted three sales that proved to be sufficient in Villa’s bid to move away from the risk of breaching PSR.
Now, Unai Emery will aim to add to his squad ahead of next season, with five arrivals having the potential to soon become six.
Unai Emery must offer Jaden Philogene a key role if he is to sign for Aston Villa
On Wednesday, it was announced that Villa had activated their right to match any offer to Hull City for Jaden Philogene.
Ipswich Town bid £18m for the winger, who left Villa Park last summer, with the Midlands club now willing to match such offer.
The decision now leaves Philogene’s future in his hands, with Emery’s intentions now made clear.
Speaking exclusively to Aston Villa News, HITC journalist Graeme Bailey gave an insight into what the Villa manager thinks of the 22-year-old.
“They [Villa] do like him, Emery really wants him – I’m told he clearly feels he can contribute but the belief is he could offer something different – much will depend on the player now.”
As well as touching on Emery’s admiration of the Bodymoor Heath graduate, Bailey admitted that one significant factor could sway Philogene’s next step, with a clear plan in the first team a must.
“A starter? He has got the talent, no doubting that at all and I don’t think Emery would want him just to be a squad man and if the player himself agrees to come, he will certainly only return if he knows he gets a chance.”
During his time at Villa, the Hull City dynamo only secured six senior appearances, with his potential return offering the club a completely different calibre of player.
Philogene is right to want a clear role at Villa
After bidding farewell to B6 on a permanent basis last summer, Philogene went on to thrive in the Championship at Hull City.
As a result of his 18 goal contributions in the second flight, interest from the Premier League has grown, with Crystal Palace, Ipswich and Everton all eyeing the winger’s next move.
While Bailey’s comments relay that Emery is a huge admirer of the work the former Villa talent has done on loan, the player will want some assurance of the role he could play next season.
The Spaniard will now have to present the 22-year-old with a convincing offer of first-team football and a place to continue his development at Villa Park.
It will be fascinating to see where Philogene’s future lies, with Premier League football certainly on the cards for the forward in some capacity.
